Other Types of Addictions

While drugs and alcohol typically come to mind first when you think of addiction, the truth is you can form an addiction to almost anything. Anything that stimulates your brain is producing a chemical reaction that can form cravings and become habitual. Non-drug related addictions include gambling, shopping, work, food, internet, online gaming, and social media, to name a few. In truth, these are often behavioral problems and more accurately described as compulsions than true addictions but the pattern and its effects on your life are the same.

Anything that you have trouble controlling can be considered an addiction.

Anything that falls outside your ability to control, even when you know you should, can be considered an addiction or unhealthy dependency. These addictions are characterized by the “high” you get, and it’s often the game of chasing this high that creates destructive patterns in your life. Certain environmental risk factors play a part as well, including any family history of addiction, psychological symptoms like anxiety or depression, loneliness, peer pressure, and even boredom.

Addicts are usually in denial about their problem.

Addicts are usually in denial about their problem. They believe their addiction is simply a habit or quirky unique behavior. However, if this behavior or habit consistently interferes with your responsibilities or your health and you can’t stop, even when you try, then you’ve developed a harmful addiction that requires an intervention and possibly professional treatment.

Recovery Process

There is no quick fix for kicking an addiction. These patterns develop over time and must be un-learned over time as well. Treatment programs exist to help you control your behavior and withstand impulses that lead to addictive or unhealthy behavior. These can be residential in-patient programs that force you to cut the addictive behavior out of your life for a time in order to develop new coping strategies to ignore temptations and triggers. It can also be outpatient therapy that you do daily or weekly to keep yourself focused on beating the addiction.

There is no quick fix for kicking an addiction.

Addiction recovery programs often involve cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling aimed at teaching you how to handle cravings and relapse temptations. This is done by understanding the emotional, psychological, and environmental factors in your life that contribute to your addictive behavior. This process involves a lot of courage and honesty with yourself in order to understand and come to terms with a compulsion. While these things may not create intense physical withdrawal the way hard drugs do, it can still be very difficult to disentangle yourself from a web of lies, compulsive behavior, and addictive dependency.

Admitting your problem is the first and most important step.

Seeking help by reaching out and admitting your problem is the first and most important step. Many options and doors open to you afterward. Stay in contact with a support system of friends, family, and peers who can help you get through recovery to a happier, more balanced life.

Admit the Problem

Own up to your behavior so you can get on with recovery.

Get Help

Find a support group or treatment center that can help you with the intervention and recovery.

Stay Vigilant

Avoiding addictive behaviors will be a factor in your life decisions for years to come. Be strong and stay focused.

All Things in Moderation

The hardest part about admitting you have a compulsive addiction to something is often that people around you engage in those same behaviors with no problem. It can be difficult to admit to an addiction to something as normal as shopping or internet surfing. But everyone has different struggles. These things are great in moderation and balance but when something becomes a compulsive problem that you no longer control, there’s nothing normal or healthy about it.

Treatment's Over...Now What?

After confronting a compulsive addiction and taking the necessary steps to achieve treatment, you enter a new stage of your life. Once you’ve gotten some space from the addictive behavior, you’ll have to think through the elements of your life that contribute to the addiction, as these elements will be the triggers and temptations that beckon you for months and even years to come. You will always be a recovering addict, always aware of the possibility of relapse.

This phase will require a massive amount of community support.

This stage can be difficult because it seems like the struggle is never behind you, but always rearing its head for you to summon the willpower to say no. This phase will require a massive amount of community support from friends, family, and support groups of peers who understand your struggle.

You’ll have to eliminate from or life or distance yourself from people, places, and things that lead you down the path of relapse.

Be aware of the possability of relapse.

If at any point you begin to backslide, talk to someone in your support group. There’s no reason to let all that recovery go to waste. Addiction is a difficult hurdle to leap on your own. The most effective recovery strategy is one that involves help from the people around you. If someone in your life is recovering from a compulsive addiction, be supportive and avoid tempting them with an old lifestyle.

This is a time for friends and family to be respectful and supportive of the recovery process.

Addiction by the Numbers

$17
billion

Spent annually on problem gambling

57%
of

Talk more online than in person

25%
of

Google request are for porn

10%
of

Americans are in recovery

Testimonials

What’s your success story?

“I used to think drugs were the only way to make me fly... But now I'm clean and sober I'm soaring to heights i never knew existed.”Roxanne Kenton

“When I decided to clean up I was in a bad place but because God loves us so much he sent people in my life that opened my eyes to recovery, the journey still continues.”Elizabeth N Charles

For years I wanted to stop, and kept falling short. It amazes me each and every day what sobriety can bring... most importantly, self respect and dignity. I love life today”Ryan Seely

“Addictions no longer rule me. I have become the person I've always wanted to be. Free from my prison and able to enjoy life.”Kelly Griffith

“I accepted that yes i am an addict and that i am powerless, and i surrender to my higher power. To live a better life! 2 and half years clean.”Trudy Potts

“4 yrs sober and i can look in the mirror and not detest what i see.. Life continues to have its struggles but i'm able to deal with the pain without a bottle.”Rene’e Bellett

“I'm proud and grateful to be called a mom, wife, and feel blessed to have the chance to start this new and exciting journey.”Rachelle Perry Buhle

“After 33 years of drinking I found Celebrate Recovery and it completely changed my life. Sober now 18 months and loving every day as a new day.”Terry Caudle

“I'm glad I became sober because as I am now 18, I have my whole life ahead of me. I did not think i'd live to see 18, but now I can chase my dreams and not my drinks!”Sandra Beckett

“Crystal Meth was my 'diet drug' of choice, but was killing me until the day I fell to my knees, cried out to Jesus; He set me free and gave me new abundant life-24 years ago!”Gina Michelle Welker